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Arkansas, Ouachita

Record Report

Statement as of 4:00 PM CST on November 21, 2008


... Record low temperature set at North Little Rock...

A record low temperature of 26 degrees was set at North Little Rock
today. This breaks the old record of 27 set in 1984... and tied in
2000.

Records for North Little Rock began on November 1st 1976.


Public Information Statement

Statement as of 2:00 PM CST on November 21, 2008


... Severe weather in the winter...

November 17th through 21st is winter weather awareness week in
Arkansas.

Todays topic is severe weather in the winter.

Although the colder months of the year typically bring to mind such
things as plunging temperatures... ice and snow... driving hazards...
and school closings... it is important to remember that severe
thunderstorms and tornadoes can and do occur in the late fall and
in the winter.

Arkansas typically experiences a secondary severe weather season in
the fall or early winter about two years out of every three. In the
years 2001... 2002... 2004... and 2005... the greatest tornado outbreaks
in the state occurred in the fall. People that have lived in
Arkansas awhile likely remember December of 1982... when tornado
outbreaks occurred on December 2nd and again on Christmas eve.

And... the Spring severe weather season sometimes does not wait
until Spring officially begins. In 2008... the super Tuesday tornado
outbreak occurred on February 5th. In 1999... the big tornado
outbreak occurred on January 21st.

So... even in the late fall and in the winter... when unsually warm
and humid air invades Arkansas... severe weather can occur when a
strong cold front or upper level low pressure collides with the
warmth and moisture.

Here are some severe weather safety rules to keep in mind...

One of the newer safety rules is that it is not safe to take
shelter under a Highway overpass. A wind Tunnel effect... caused
by wind being channeled under the overpass... can easily cause a
person to be blown out from beneath the overpass. In addition...
the channeling effect causes winds to be stronger under the
overpass. Flying debris can also be a severe hazard.

Be sure you know the difference between a watch and a warning.
The National Weather Service issues a Tornado Watch when
tornadoes are possible. A Tornado Warning is issued when a
tornado has been indicated on Doppler weather radar or has
been sighted.

Counties and cities are mentioned in tornado warnings... so know
the counties and cities near where you are. If you are new to
the area... keep a map handy for reference.

Make sure that you have a reliable way to receive weather
information. Battery-powered NOAA weather radios are an
excellent way to keep up with the weather... even if your power
has gone out. A battery-powered radio is also a necessity if you
are planning to be outdoors.

If you are going to be at a large gathering... such as at a
school... stadium or place of worship... make sure that someone has
been designated to keep an eye on the weather and to listen for
the latest watches and warnings.

A tornado shelter... tornado cellar... or a safe room is the safest
place to be... but most homes do not have these. The next safest
place is usually a basement... but these are not common in
Arkansas. If you do not have any of these... go to an interior
room or hallway on the lowest floor of a house or building. You
can protect yourself further by getting under a mattress or a
heavy piece of furniture.

Many businesses... such as large stores... shopping malls...
hospitals... nursing homes... and schools have pre-arranged safety
plans and designated safe areas. If you are in one of these
places... follow the instructions given inside these buildings.

Stay away from windows.

If you are in a vehicle... your best option is to move to a sturdy
building. However... if you are caught out in the open in your
vehicle... lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression.

Mobile homes... even if tied down... offer little protection during
a tornado... and should be abandoned.

Remember that flying debris causes the most casualties in a
tornado.

Keep in mind that the elderly... the very Young... and people with
physical or mental challenges will often Need More time to get to
safety. Make special provisions if you are a care-giver for these
people.

&&

Please visit our web site at www.Srh.NOAA.Gov/lzk



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